Dublin teen (16) charged with assault after e-scooter incident in Coolock

A 16-year-old boy has been charged with assault causing harm following a serious e-scooter incident on Greencastle Road, Dublin, on 18 August.

Boy (16) remanded on bail over Coolock e-scooter assault

A 16-year-old boy has been charged with assault causing harm to a teenager who suffered serious injuries during an e-scooter incident in Coolock, Dublin, earlier this month, the Irish Times reports.

The boy, who cannot be named as he is a minor, appeared before Judge Patricia Cronin at the Dublin Children's Court on Wednesday. He was arrested at his north Dublin home on Tuesday morning and detained under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act before being charged that same evening.

Det Garda Alan Davis of Coolock Garda station told the court that the injured youth came off a scooter on Greencastle Road, Dublin 17, at around 4pm on 18 August and was hospitalised with severe injuries. Davis described the incident as a "serious assault" and said the defendant "made no reply" when cautioned and handed a copy of the charge sheet.

Judge Cronin noted that directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions were still awaited. There was no objection to bail, which was granted subject to strict conditions. The boy must continue to reside at his family home and observe a nightly curfew between 11pm and 7am. He is prohibited from driving or being in charge of any motor vehicle in a public place and must engage with a bail supervision scheme.

The court also ordered that he have no contact — directly, indirectly, or by electronic means — with the injured teenager or any member of that teenager's family. The court heard it was believed a member of the defendant's family knew a close relative of the injured youth.

Cronin read out and explained each condition to the boy, who asked for the curfew times to be repeated. She warned him to comply fully and noted that gardaí were entitled to call to his home "to prove compliance". Any breach, she told him, could lead to an application to revoke his bail.

The boy was accompanied to court by his parents and a barrister, whose attendance was noted on the record. Legal aid was granted after the court heard the family did not have the means to pay for a solicitor. The 16-year-old has yet to secure legal representation, however, due to the ongoing dispute over legal aid payments that has prompted solicitors to withdraw their services in the District Court.

No further evidence relating to the assault was heard. The boy has yet to indicate a plea and has been remanded to appear again on 7 October.

Source: Irish Times